Wike Accuses the ADC primaries of being rigged in favor of Atiku, saying Amaechi walked into a political trap

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has claimed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries were from the start structured in favor of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi never had a realistic chance of emerging as the party’s flag bearer.

Speaking at his monthly press conference in Abuja on Monday, Wike said the composition of the ADC leadership made the outcome of the election predictable long before the delegates went to the polls, arguing that the party machinery was under the control of forces loyal to Atiku.

The minister, who once served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff when he ruled Rivers State, said he immediately realized the direction of the rivalry when his former allies allied with the opposition coalition.

“Amaechi is my brother. I served as Chief of Staff in his government. When I saw him running with them, I knew what was coming. If he called me, I would have said, ‘Don’t go there.’ It is very clear he will not get transparency or due process,” Wike said.

According to the FCT minister, the emergence of former Senate President David Mark in a key leadership role in the ADC is indication enough that the presidential election will ultimately favor Atiku.

“When I saw the setup at ADC and saw David Mark there, I laughed. When you have worked with these guys, you know who they are and what they are capable of. That setup was 100 percent Atiku’s setup.

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“You can’t trap me. We know ourselves as politicians. Who says such a structure will give you transparency? Who says such a structure will give you free and fair elections?” he said.

Wike argued that Amaechi misjudged the political dynamics surrounding the coalition and allowed criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government to influence his decision to contest the election.

“I think my brother made a mistake. He was too hasty. He was carried away by people who were screaming that this government is not working. They used that to lure people and give themselves credibility,” he added.

The minister also reviewed the Peoples Democratic Party primaries in 2022, and accused David Mark of failing to provide parity in the race that ultimately resulted in Atiku as the PDP presidential candidate.

His comments come amid growing controversy over the ADC primaries, which continue to stir debate among the opposition.

Amaechi publicly rejected the results of the exercise before the announcement of the official results, and described the process as manipulated and inconsistent with the party’s claimed democratic values.

In a statement posted on his X account, the former Rivers governor alleged that a large number of party members were denied the opportunity to vote and asserted that the process failed to meet the standards of fairness and transparency promised by the ADC leadership.

Despite the protests, the party went ahead with the announcement of the results, declaring Atiku the winner of the presidential election and flag bearer in the 2027 elections.

Official figures released by the ADC showed Atiku polled 1,846,370 votes to secure victory, while Amaechi finished second with 504,117 votes. Economist and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen came third with 177,120 votes.

The fallout from the primaries has sparked reconciliation efforts within the party, with Atiku having held separate consultations with Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen in a bid to ease tensions and rally support behind his candidacy.

The meeting is seen by political observers as part of a broader effort to prevent a split in the opposition coalition as preparations for the 2027 presidential election intensify.